Deputy Alex Collins named Grand Marshal of Big Bear Parade

San Bernardino County sheriff's Deputy Alex Collins, wounded in a shootout with ex-LAPD officer Christopher Dorner, has been named grand marshal of the Big Bear Heritage Parade June 15.

The parade is themed "Big Bear Thanks You," in gratitude for the support of law enforcement and first responders.

Collins suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body during the Feb. 12 gun battle after an exhaustive manhunt for Dorner across Southern California.

He is father to a newborn son with wife, Lila Collins, and he had been on family leave at the time of the shootout, yet returned to duty during the search to help his fellow officers.

Dan McKernan, Big Bear Lake spokesman, said the tribute is in gratitude to law enforcement during the February incident and to all fearless law enforcement personnel who protect the mountain community throughout the year.

After three months, and multiple surgeries at Loma Linda University Medical Center, Collins is well enough to ride in the parade. But his complete recovery will take time, officials said.

"Alex is going to have another surgery on his wrist in June and another surgery later on his cheek - with lots of physical therapy, so there is no timeline," said Collins' commander, Capt. Tom Bradford.

Collins and his family are asking for privacy during the recovery, according to Bradford.

"We are looking forward to having him back at the Big Bear Station," Bradford said.

Collins, of Yucaipa, initially responded to the scene near Barton Flats with fellow deputy Jeremiah MacKay, who was killed in the fiery shootout.

By then, the rogue ex-cop had led law enforcement on one of the biggest manhunts in California history.

Dorner's killing spree began Feb. 3 with the deaths of 27-year-old Monica Quan and her fiance, 27-year-old Keith Lawrence in Irvine. Then on Feb. 7, he fired on a pair of Riverside police officers stopped at a red light, killing Officer Michael Crain, 34, and wounding the other.

After Dorner's burned-out truck was found later in day near Bear Mountain Ski Resort in Big Bear Lake, the manhunt closed in on Dorner, who had been holed up for six days in the nearby vacation home of James and Karen Reynolds. The couple had happened upon Dorner when they arrived at their condominium and he reportedly tied them up at gunpoint.

On Feb. 12, Dorner was chased to the Barton Flats area cabin where he killed himself after the fiery exchange of gunfire with deputies.

The courage and sacrifice made by deputies MacKay and Collins preceded the hundreds of deputies and police officers who swooped in for the standoff.

According to Cindy Bachman, Sheriff's Department spokeswoman, said Collins was shot three times.

Collins, who graduated from the eighth grade at Sacred Heart Academy in Redlands in 2000, is in his late 20s.

San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon will also participate in the 4 p.m. parade.

McMahon will ride with the Sheriff's Rangers Mounted Posse in the event, which runs along Big Bear Boulevard, from Summit Boulevard west to Georgia Street in the city of Big Bear Lake.

According to McKernan, the annual Big Bear Heritage Parade is organized by the Old Miners Association of Big Bear Lake. The event celebrates 65 years of Old Miners Days festivities.

This year, however, before the public cheers on Collins and other first responders, a pre-parade reception from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Big Bear Convention Center will feature a meet-and-greet and the posting of colors by an All-Service Color Guard and at noon, with remarks by local officials and military representatives, as well as Rep. Paul Cook, R-Apple Valley, and Sheriff McMahon.

Displays and booths will make this an interactive event for the public, and food will be available.